Educational partnerships help students afford higher education

A growing number of local workers are able to receive tuition reductions through Delaware Valley University's Educational Partnership Program (EPP). The University already works with more than 30 partners to offer their employees more affordable access to higher education. DelVal is looking to add additional educational partners and recently added Chick-fil-A (Warrington Crossing and Warminster) to its list. 

Ashley McCorry, a Penn Community Bank employee, currently takes classes at DelVal through the EPP. 

"When Penn Community Bank informed us about the partnership with DelVal, I knew I couldn't pass it up," said McCorry, a business major.  "I've been wanting to get back to school for over a year now to finish my bachelor's degree and this was just the push I needed. I am very grateful for this opportunity with DelVal."

"This program is designed for companies who value the personal growth of their employees through education," said Laura Valadakis, the University's business and industry recruiter. 

The most recent partnership offers a ten percent tuition reduction for Chick-fil-A's Warrington Crossing and Warminster employees at no cost to the business partner. Chick-fil-A employees can use the tuition reduction for the MBA program or, to complete a bachelor's degree, associate degree or certificate program through the University's Continuing and Professional Studies program. DelVal offers both online and on campus (evening) degree programs with various specializations to accommodate the needs of working professionals. 

The new partnership program also provides Chick-fil-A employees with a dedicated DelVal liaison who will support inquiries, assist with career counseling and guide potential EPP students through the application process. 

The partnerships bring new connections that also benefit DelVal's current students.

"It is a true partnership in every sense of the word," said Valadakis. "Chick-fil-A will participate in DelVal's Food Industry Panel next fall. The partnerships offer a means for DelVal to extend its reach in the community by supporting the advancement of education."

Join the Educational Partnership Program: Becoming part of the Educational Partnership Program is a way for employers to add an additional benefit for their employees at no cost to the business. To inquire about developing a new employer partnership for a business, please contact: Karen Snyder, Educational Partnership Coordinator, karen.snyder@delval.edu.